title: Inulin hydrogels as carriers for colonic drug targeting: I. Synthesis and characterization of methacrylated inulin and hydrogel formation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vinyl groups were introduced in inulin chains in order to form hydrogels of this sugar polymer by free radical polymerization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inulin was reacted with glycidyl methacrylate in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine as catalyst. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used for the characterization of the obtained reaction product. Solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed the conversion of the incorporated vinyl groups into covalent cross-links upon free radical polymerization of aqueous solutions of the derivatized inulin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During reaction of inulin with glycidyl methacrylate, transesterification occurred, leading to the direct attachment of the methacryloyl group to inulin. Consequently, the obtained reaction product is methacrylated inulin. The extent of chemical modification of inulin could be tuned by varying the molar ratio of glycidyl methacrylate to inulin in the reaction mixture. Aqueous solutions of methacrylated inulin were converted into cross-linked hydrogels by free radical polymerization using ammonium persulphate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine as initiating system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inulin hydrogels can be formed by free radical polymerization of aqueous solutions of methacrylated inulin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Farmacotechnologie en Biofarmacie, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. liesbeth.vervoort@farm.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vervoort
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van den Mooter
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Augustijns
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toppet
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinget
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D004126:Dimethylformamide / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004951:Esterification; D005782:Gels; D007444:Inulin / Q000737:chemistry*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D005782:Gels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D004126:Dimethylformamide; D007444:Inulin; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; C003885:4-dimethylaminopyridine; C007870:glycidyl methacrylate